News

New guidelines help to
participate in mining decisions

10. March 2016. a.

EELC has compiled new guidelines that help the local communities and people
living near the (planned) mining areas participate in the mining decisions. The
guidelines point out what impacts should be pointed out to the mining
enterprises and authorities and how to protect public and private interests in
the mining permit procedure.

EELC has consulted several local communities helping them to participate in
mining permits decisions. We also assessed the conditions of mining permits
more thoroughly in a respective analysis in 2014. One of the main conclusions
was that even if the impacts are well considered before giving the mining
permit, clear conditions on how to prevent or reduce the impacts later and the
arrangements for supervision must be added to the permits as well.

The new guidelines describe the steps of the mining permit procedure, share some tips on how to orientate in the documents disclosed by the authorities and how to submit comments and suggestions in permit proceedings. The guidelines also include a small glossary, which explains the meaning of technical terms used in the field and tips for assessing the mitigation measures offered by the permit issuing authority.